National Republican., 1887-03-16
A Letter and Its AnsNer.

EIlToH NATIONAL REPUBLICAN / have read
with Great care yoIr editorial in the NATIoSAL
RETuBLIGhS of the 10th. headed "Patilolism
in Politics." II Is an able and exhaustive
discussion OF the subject, but II sartles me, as
colored man, to be advised by leading Re-
publican paper, published at the national
capital, that good policy requires portion of
the colCred people should become Democrats.
Do you really mean that? WOIid 1t not be
base ingrattude in colored men to desert the
Republican party. 10 which they owe their
r,,dom and every right which they now
enjoy? Are the Republicans tired of us that
YOU should make such suggestion? Please
explain what your idea is, and oblige
A CoLogED REPUBLICAN.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, will endeavor
TO answer the writer of this letter, as he is
a leading colored man in one Of the south
ern states.
In the article alluded to we endeavored
to sbow-flrst, that President Cleveland
was endeavoring to divide the colored vote
in the states OF the north, where 1t is COM
paratirely small, but could turn the election
either way second, that in the old slave
states, where the coored voters are nu-
merous, the fact that they were all Repub-
licans aroused race prejudice, and was the
means by which designing demagogues
practically solidiied the white vote, and
thus established the color line In politics.;
and, thirdly, that the colored voters of the
south were denied many of the rights and
privileges of citizenship, and that the power
Of the Republican party to relieve them Of
these wrongs unconstitutional methods was
exhsuSsJd, leaving the only possible remedy
IN their own hands.
on this last question we said:
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Is n Republican
newspaper because 1t believes in the principles
OF the Republican party. II understands fully
the relations OF that party to the colored men
ofthe country. Itknows the grand work the
Jatty has done for them, and what Of good 1t
has attempted and failed to accomplish. II
knows that under our peculiar dual system OF
state and national goveInme nts, each holding n
portion ofthc sovereignty, that the Republi-
can party, even with the full control ofthe
national government could not remedy some
OF the evils under which the colored men OF
the south are now suffering, and II believes
that II viii be the part of wisdom for them to
cease any longer TO be united as n mass in the
EepublCar party.
NO IhlI IusS'lcut uplicNt Iuhl VIII Aeuy luN1
in many states ana sections Of tho south the
negroes are by fair means or foul deprived oi
that great privilege Of American frcemen the
right TO vote for whomsoever they may choose
TO i'll all Official positions This, as we have
said previously, is because they are solidy
Republican and race prejudice Is aroused
against them.
At the late election in Atlanta, Ca, upon the
license question the co!ored men divided, some
fayoIing and some opposing licenses. The re-
suit was that tine white leaders OF the opposing
parties each sought as vigorously aud by the
same methods TO secure colOred voters as they
did to secure white voters.
II the colored men of the south should divide
upon the questions which divide the political
parties of to- day as they did in Atlanta upon
the question in that local election, they will
find that the white men will divide in the
same manner, and each party viii endeavOr as
earnestly, and In the usual way Of recognition
ana support, to secure coloTed voters. The
white Democrats will select Colored men o
prominence to strengthen their ticket
and the Republicans Will pursue a similar
rourse, and thus each man will have the privi